Their Flute Like Notes Poem by Francis Duggan

Their flute like notes unmistakeable, melodious and clear
The Australian magpies sing all through the year
In their breeding season the males even sing at night
How lovely to hear them in the calm moonlight
In the quiet countryside or the park of the town
They warble in unison after sundown
Their flute like notes one could never mistake
They sing in the daytime and before daybreak
Still about them they do not have a gentle way
On mice and insects and smaller birds they do prey
Yet amongst lovers of songbirds held in high esteem
In the World of the songbirds they are songters supreme
To defend their territories at nesting time humans they even attack
These singing Australians in their feathers of white and black.